GRATITUDE... such an important word that many of us do not incorporate into our lives as we bustle around managing our busy routines. While in a perfect world, we would practice gratitude daily, but Thanksgiving serves as a reminder for us to pause and take the time to actively recognize the important aspects of life.
I appreciate both the support and patience you have exhibited over the last year, especially as we initiated and continued exciting community development and infrastructure projects. It is satisfying to see the steel beams at the new Public Safety Building, walk the new path along Trolley Brook, envision the renderings as we watch the construction downtown and on Pond Street, or prepare for the groundbreaking at the Mindess School.
Additionally, I appreciate your patience. Just the road construction itself has required changes to many peoples' routines. I know it can be frustrating, as there have been plenty of times myself I have been caught in traffic trying to get from one part of town to another on time, so I can only imagine how it is for those dealing with it daily. Again, I would encourage us all to try and remember the end vision as we deal with these current issues.
Interwoven throughout the year has been the ongoing impact of the pandemic. While we are finally forging paths back to what each of us considers normal, it has not been without bumps in the road. This stress has continued to strain relationships of all types, and we now begin seeing the impact of that damage. Fortunately, over the last year, we have returned to more in-person events, which will, hopefully, ease those tensions.
I want to extend my gratitude and thanks to all the community members. Thank you for doing your part during this awful pandemic by wearing masks indoors and participating in our testing/vaccine clinics. I want to thank our COVID-19 team, our Health Department, Board of Health, First Responders, and community partners for all of their help in keeping our community safe.
I also want to extend my gratitude to all the team members- both employees and volunteers in our town. It has been a year full of pivoting. I hope you take pride in the teamwork and resilience displayed this year.
Lastly, thank you to YOU for reading this newsletter, being an active community member, and for your contributions to our Ashland Community.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, everyone! See you at the Clocker game tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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COVID-19 Testing Site Holiday Hours |
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COVID- 19 Drive-Thru Testing Site
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY HOURS:
Thursday... CLOSED
Friday... CLOSED
Saturday... 7 am - 11 am
This site is accessible by car via Memorial Drive in Ashland, MBTA Commuter Rail's inbound train, and MBTA bus route 5.
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Tis' the season for Ribbon Cuttings.
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, members of the Select Board, employees, and I joined the Rotary Club of Framingham, who generously donate this tastefully done bench overlooking Mill Pond. The Framingham Rotary is a great service organization that serves not only Framingham but other Metrowest Communities. Many thanks to Ashland resident and business owner Ken Erdelt, President Phil Reimann, and other Rotarians for being willing to commemorate our community partnership with this gift.
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On Friday, November 19, 2021, the Select Board and I joined others in celebrating the opening of the first section of the Upper Charles Trail, the Trolley Brook Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It has been a long process starting with the acquisition of the Rail Transit District, assembling the funding sources for the project budget, and the construction itself.
Thank you to the Upper Charles Trail Committee- Rob Scherer, Joel Arbeitman, Valerie Paul, David Rosenblum, Preston Crow, Tony Lewis, Chuck Lidz, the Friends of the Upper Charles Trail, the Community Preservation Committee, MassTrails, MAPC, Ramco, BSC, Jenn Ball, Diane Mortensen, Peter Matchak, the DPW crew, Senate President Spilka and Representative Lewis for your work creating this beautiful addition to our community.
The entrances to the trail are off of Memorial Drive and Megunko Road.
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Thank you to all of YOU for donating to our local food pantry. Without your help, we would not be able to help our local families!
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Important Local Information |
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Town Manager Hybrid Forum
Monday, November 29th at 6:15 pm
On Monday, November 29th I will be conducting a community forum discussing the upcoming Special Town Meeting held on Wednesday, December 1st at 7 pm at Ashland High School. This forum will be both in-person at Town Hall in the Select Board room on the second floor, or virtually with zoom.
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Special Town Meeting
December 1st at 7 pm
Ashland High School
Special Town Meeting is just around the corner. For more details including viewing the posted warrant visit our Elections & Voting Webpage here.
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SHOP LOCAL ASHLAND
Shopping small is more important than ever, as 78% of business owners surveyed say holiday sales will impact their ability to stay in business in 2022. As we head into Small Business Saturday (Nov 27th) be sure to try and keep it local! Let’s go #ShopSmall and make a difference this season! Check out Ashland's very own shop local webpage for ideas for your shopping needs. Click here
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Trash & Recycling Collection - Thanksgiving Holiday
Trash & Recycling WILL NOT be collected on Thursday, 11/25. This will cause a 1-day delay in trash & recycling collection service for the remainder of the week. Thursday's collection will be bumped to Friday. Friday's collection will be bumped to Saturday.
Please be sure to have your waste at the curbside by 7 am on the collection day. Questions? Call 508-532-7943 or email dmiller@ashlandmass.com
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Participate in this survey!
The survey will close Tuesday, November 30th
Our Town is currently in the process of selecting a new Police Chief to guide our police officers in the years to come. As part of that process, it is important to get a sense of what you would like to see in your next Police Chief as well as the issues you think the Police Chief should focus on. To help us, I have put together a community survey so residents can provide input.
Please note, these questions are in no particular order of importance or priority. This task should only take 10 minutes of your time and that investment will help shape our candidate profile and questions throughout the process.
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Participate in Ashland Public Library's Strategic Plan
What building has the most stories? The library!
Help Ashland Public Library write a new chapter by participating in their strategic plan survey.
Your answers will influence the direction of the library for the next five years. Children, Teens, and Adults are encouraged to participate in the survey, and it is available in several languages.
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Fall Yard Waste Removal
Mondays until November 29th
Waste Management will be collecting yard waste at curbside from residents that are enrolled in the town's solid waste removal program on Mondays until November 29th.
This is a yard waste collection (grass clippings, pine needles, pine cones, leaves....rake-able materials). Do not leave brush and tree limbs at curbside for collection....they will not be taken. Yard waste should be within brown paper leaf bags or trash barrels clearly marked as "YARD WASTE" and should not exceed 50lbs. each in weight.
Please be sure to have your yard waste at the curbside by 7 am on the collection day. Questions? Call 508-532-7943 or email dmiller@ashlandmass.com
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Stay Updated!
IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION
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Look out for an email this weekend with all of the upcoming holiday festivities around town- including the Annual Menorah Lighting, the Holiday Stroll, Santa's neighborhood drive-by map, and more! |
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